CN210123909U

CN210123909U - Furniture system

Info

Publication number: CN210123909U
Application number: CN201920193392.6U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 沃尔特·科赫
Original assignee: Logicdata Electronic and Software Entwicklungs GmbH
Current assignee: Logicdata Electronic and Software Entwicklungs GmbH
Priority date: 2018-02-12
Filing date: 2019-02-12
Publication date: 2020-03-03
Anticipated expiration: 2029-02-12
Also published as: DE102018103067A1; EP3524098A1; EP3524098B1; US20190252902A1

Abstract

The utility model discloses a furniture system with electrically adjustable furniture (100, 101, 102) and energy transmission device (200), in this furniture system, furniture (100, 101, 102) includes: at least one actuator (110) for adjusting an item of furniture (100, 101, 102), a first electrical energy store (120) for supplying the actuator (110) with electrical energy during an adjustment process, and a first charging circuit (130) for charging the first electrical energy store (120). The energy transmission device (200) is adapted to receive energy from an AC mains power supply and to transfer the energy wirelessly. The first charging circuit (130) is adapted to at least partially receive energy output from the energy transmission device (200) without physical contact with the energy transmission device (200) and to charge the first electrical energy storage (120) with said energy.

Description

Furniture system

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a furniture system, in particular to a furniture system comprising electrically adjustable furniture.

Background

Adjustable furniture is well known in both the office furniture industry and the home furnishing industry. The most common designs in the office furniture industry are, for example, electrically adjustable tables or electrically adjustable chairs, while in the home industry, electrically adjustable beds, seating furniture or reclining furniture are well known.

Such adjustable furniture is not always supplied directly from the mains voltage, but is partially supplied from a battery or accumulator. For example, there are furniture items which allow emergency operation via battery or accumulator operation in the event of a power failure, in order to be able to reach at least a flat position in the event of a grid voltage failure, for example in an electrically adjustable bed, which makes it possible to sleep. However, since the energy of the battery and the rechargeable battery is limited, only a few conditioning processes may be performed with bare cell or rechargeable battery operation.

In conventional furniture, in order to charge a battery or a rechargeable battery, the furniture is connected to the public power grid in order to charge the battery or the rechargeable battery directly via a charger powered by the grid voltage.

Sometimes, solar cells are also attached to furniture to charge a battery or rechargeable battery with the current generated by the solar cell. In this way, a degree of independence from the grid voltage can be achieved under suitable lighting conditions. However, the charging time is usually long and the available energy is not always sufficient because of too little light.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The present disclosure provides an improved charging concept that makes it easier to charge energy storage in electrically adjustable furniture.

This improved charging concept is based on the idea of charging an electrical energy storage that powers an actuator of an adjustable furniture via a wireless or contactless process, in particular without the furniture itself having to be connected to the grid voltage of a public supply grid. To this end, a furniture system with an electrically adjustable piece of furniture and a separate energy transmission device is proposed, which furniture system can supply the necessary energy for charging an energy store without physical contact with the piece of furniture. For this purpose, for example, inductive energy transfer methods or radio wave-based methods can be utilized. The piece of furniture therefore has a first charging circuit which at least partially receives the transmitted energy and uses this energy to charge the first electrical energy store if the first charging circuit is at a suitable distance from the energy transmission device. Thus, the first electrical energy storage of the piece of furniture can be charged without the user having to make any special effort in order to ensure continuous use of the adjustable function of the piece of furniture.

In an exemplary implementation of the improved charging concept, a furniture system with an electrically adjustable furniture and an energy transmission device is proposed. The furniture comprises: the control device comprises at least one actuator for adjusting the furniture, a first electrical energy store for supplying the actuator during an adjustment process, and a first charging circuit for charging the first electrical energy store. The energy transfer device is configured to receive energy from an AC grid power source and to transmit the energy wirelessly. The first charging circuit is arranged to receive at least part of the energy transmitted by the energy transmission device without physical contact with the energy transmission device and to charge the first electrical energy storage with said energy. In particular, the energy transmission device is independent of the piece of furniture, i.e. the energy transmission device is not part of the piece of furniture or mounted on the piece of furniture.

For example, the energy transmission device is fixedly or movably arranged in a room in which the furniture is located. For example, the energy transmission device may be mounted in or on a wall. Alternatively, the energy transmission device can also be mounted in or on the floor, for example in the floor structure.

The energy transmission device may also be installed in further furniture comprised in the furniture system. For example, the further furniture may be selected to require connection to the AC mains supply in any way or may be connected to the AC mains supply with less effort. Such additional furniture may be, for example, side tables, roller cabinets, etc.

The energy store is realized, for example, as a battery or as a rechargeable battery. The energy store is preferably concealed or integrated into the piece of furniture in a manner invisible to the human eye, for example into the frame of the piece of furniture. If the furniture is a table, the energy storage may be accommodated, for example, in a table base or in a table frame. In case the furniture is a bed, the energy storage may be placed in a suitable position in the bed frame. Where the furniture is an adjustable recliner, for example, the energy storage may be located in the recliner frame, particularly below the housing of the recliner.

In various implementations, the first charging circuit includes an energy-receiving device and a charging controller designed to control charging of the first electrical energy storage using energy received by the energy-receiving device. The charge controller and the energy receiving device may be located close to each other, e.g. in a common housing. However, it may also be advantageous to physically separate the charge controller from the energy receiver.

For example, the charging controller is arranged in a housing of the controller for the at least one actuator. The energy receiving device can also be arranged in the control, but can preferably also be arranged independently at a suitable location of the piece of furniture, in order to be able to establish the necessary spatial proximity to the energy transmission device.

In various implementations, energy is transmitted according to a radio wave-based method, specifically a radio frequency, RF, method. The benefits of RF-based charging techniques are: not only can a greater distance be spanned, but the energy receiving means does not have to be aligned extremely precisely relative to the energy transmission means.

For example, the energy transmission device and the energy reception device are designed to transmit sufficient energy at a distance of up to 50cm to 150cm, in particular up to 60cm to 90cm, between the energy transmission device and the energy reception device to charge the first electrical energy storage. Thus, for example, the maximum distance sufficient for energy transmission is within a specified distance range. Such a distance may be achieved using, for example, the described radio wave-based method or RF method.

In other implementations, energy is transferred based on an inductive process. Generally, the energy transmitted based on an inductive process must be a smaller distance between the transmitting device and the energy receiving device than with a radio wave based method. However, higher energy per unit time can also be transmitted using inductive methods, which can speed up the charging process.

In various implementations, the furniture is implemented as a height adjustable table, in particular an office table. The energy receiving device may for example be arranged in a table frame or in a table foot of the table.

In other implementations, the furniture may be implemented as a bed with adjustable heads and/or adjustable feet, in particular a bed for a bedroom. For example, the energy receiving device is arranged in a bed frame or in a bed foot.

In other implementations, the furniture is implemented as, for example, an adjustable lounge chair. For example, the energy receiving device may be arranged in a frame of the lounge chair, in particular below a housing of the lounge chair.

The listed furniture does not represent a decisive choice for possible adjustable furniture. Other furniture may also be equipped with the improved charging concept. Preferably, such furniture is used in the home or living area or in the office area.

In the above mentioned examples of positioning the energy receiving device on or in the piece of furniture, the positioning of the energy receiving device in the piece of furniture is preferably not visible to a user of the piece of furniture, at least not during regular use of the piece of furniture.

In various implementations, the furniture system further comprises a manual operating device arranged for wirelessly connecting with a controller for the at least one actuator, in particular for sending adjustment commands to the controller, and for effecting adjustment of the furniture by means of the actuator. The manual operation device includes: a second electrical energy store for powering the manual operating device during the operating action; and a second charging circuit for charging the second electrical energy storage. In this way, the manually operated device can be charged via the same energy transmission device as the adjustable furniture itself. The manually operated device is, for example, a remote control element or other operating element, which can be connected to the controller both in a unidirectional and a bidirectional manner.

In particular, the first electrical energy store of the piece of furniture and the second electrical energy store of the manually operated device can be charged simultaneously.

If no close proximity, e.g. less than 5cm, is required between the energy transmission device and the energy receiving device for charging, the piece of furniture can remain in its position for charging, in particular, does not have to be moved for charging, if the energy transmission device is properly positioned.

As described above, this may utilize, for example, a radio wave-based method or an RF method. In order to limit the electromagnetic radiation density in the process and also to keep the losses in the energy transmitter, i.e. the energy transmission means, low, it is usual to fix the maximum transmissible power at a certain level. This generally results in a slow charging process. However, this is a secondary problem, in particular for the above-mentioned applications of battery or accumulator charging, which supplies energy to one or more actuators of the furniture system and does not have to operate in continuous operation. For example, desks in an office area may remain in their normal position as long as the desk is within reach of one or more energy transmission devices. The energy store can thus be recharged continuously and always provides sufficient energy for regulation. For example, in this manner, the energy storage collects enough energy during the night so that the desk can be adjusted during the day at least with a sufficient number of standard adjustment techniques.

In the case of a higher range energy transmission device, it is also possible to charge several energy storages simultaneously, i.e. in particular via several energy receiving devices.

In the case of a shorter range, for example with an inductive energy transfer process, it may be necessary to at least roughly align the energy receiver of the piece of furniture with the energy transmission device if a charging process is to be started. In particular, it may be necessary to move furniture. For example, the furniture in various embodiments therefore has rollers for moving the furniture. This allows the furniture to be quickly and easily positioned into place.

Although it is sufficient for a furniture system according to the improved charging concept to have even only one energy transmission device, it is not excluded that a plurality of energy transmission devices are also provided, for example to increase the number of possible locations at which the furniture can be charged.

Energy transmission means, i.e. modules on the mains voltage side, are required for transmitting energy for the charging process, rather than for controlling the charging process. This makes it possible to produce the energy transmitter more cheaply, so that the user can be provided with an inexpensive module. A user can use several modules per room or home or office building at a lower price. By using several modules on the mains voltage side in one room, the supply of a plurality of pieces of furniture in a larger room can be ensured or a faster loading is made possible.

The grid voltage side modules may be installed at various locations of the room:

mounted on a (movable) floor, for example, on a floor area (floor area) on a wall. A number of modules may be mounted on the floor along the wall;

integrated in the floor (flush mounted);

integrated in the wall (flush), for example, by making the module compatible with standard switch programs and by mounting the module in a conventional mounting box and replacing the socket;

mounted on a (movable) wall, where a simple retrofit option is particularly suitable: the modules on the mains voltage side are plugged into already available sockets.

The energy storage in the furniture is preferably intended exclusively for powering the actuator or the associated controller. In principle, other components, such as personal computers, laptops, smartphones, etc., can be connected, but this requires a high charging capacity of the energy store. This use is therefore preferably excluded in order to make the energy storage smaller and therefore cheaper.

Drawings

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Parts that are functionally identical or have the same effect may be provided with the same reference numerals. Identical components or components having identical functions may only be explained with reference to the drawing in which they first appear. The description need not be repeated in subsequent figures.

In the drawings:

fig. 1 shows an example of a furniture system with electrically adjustable furniture in the form of a table;

fig. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of an example of a furniture system;

fig. 3 shows another example of a furniture system with electrically adjustable furniture in the form of a table;

fig. 4 shows another example of a furniture system with electrically adjustable furniture in the form of a table;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a furniture system having electrically adjustable furniture in the form of a bed;

fig. 6 shows an example of a furniture system with electrically adjustable furniture in the form of a recliner chair.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary implementation of a furniture system with electrically adjustable furniture in the form of a table 100. The table 100 is designed, for example, as a height-adjustable table, in particular as a desk, whereby the height of the tabletop 115 can be adjusted via the actuator 110, the actuator 110 being arranged within the table frame 160. The actuator 110 is controlled, for example, by a controller 140. The table frame 160 is designed, for example, as a telescopic post. The table 100 also includes a foot 170, in this example, a roller 180 attached to the foot 170.

The table is shown in a room having walls 310 and a floor 320.

Via a manual operating device 150, which is shown as an example as being placed on the tabletop 115, the user can send corresponding operating commands to the controller 140 in order to achieve height adjustment via the actuator 110.

The table 100 further comprises a first electrical energy storage 120, e.g. a rechargeable battery or an accumulator, which serves as an energy source for supplying electrical power to the actuator 110 or the controller 140 for triggering the adjustment process. Further, a first charging circuit 130 is provided in or at the table 100, the first charging circuit 130 being designed to receive energy in a wireless manner and to use the energy to charge the first electric energy storage 120.

Accordingly, the furniture system also includes an energy transmission device 200, in this illustration, the energy transmission device 200 is mounted in a base plate 320. The energy transmission device 200 is adapted to receive energy from an AC mains supply, in particular from a 230V or 115V mains supply, and to transmit the energy wirelessly. As described above, this energy is at least partially received by the first charging circuit 130 and converted into a charging current for the first electrical energy storage.

The manually-operated device 150 may also have a second charging circuit and a second electrical energy store of the manually-operated device 150 itself, for charging the second electrical energy store in dependence on the energy emitted by the energy transmission device 200.

Fig. 2 shows an example of a schematic block diagram of an example of a furniture system-specific component for wireless charging and operation of furniture. Therein, an energy transmission device 200 is shown, the energy transmission device 200 being formed by a grid connection 210 as a connection to a grid voltage and a grid voltage side module 220. On the furniture side, a first charging circuit 130 is formed by a charging controller 131 and an energy receiving device 132. The charge controller 131 is integrated in the controller 140. Alternatively, the charging controller 131 may also be arranged separately from the controller 140, for example in its own housing or together with the energy receiving device 132 in the housing.

The charging controller 131 is connected to the first electric energy storage 120 to perform charging. The connection between the actuator 110 and the controller 140 and the connection between the actuator 110 and the first electrical energy storage 120 are also shown, respectively. This shall mean that the actuator 110 is controlled on the one hand by the controller 140 and on the other hand that the actuator 110 is supplied with energy by the first electrical energy store 120. However, the actuator 110 may also be powered from the first electrical energy storage 120 via the controller 140, and thus there will not be a direct connection between the first electrical energy storage 120 and the actuator 110.

The energy transfer between the grid voltage side module 220 and the energy receiving device 132 is illustrated by a respective energy wave.

Fig. 2 also shows a manually operated device 150 with a second electrical energy storage 151 and a second charging circuit 152 component which also receives energy from the grid voltage side module 220. In particular, the second electric energy storage in the manual control unit 150 and the first electric energy storage in the furniture may be charged simultaneously.

As already mentioned, the wireless energy transfer can be carried out, for example, using radio wave based methods, in particular RF methods. Alternatively, energy can also be transmitted based on an inductive process. There are differences in the possible energy transmission ranges, so that it may be necessary to bring the furniture into the correct charging position relative to the energy transmission device 200 or the grid voltage side module 220. During the induction process, the distance between the grid voltage side module 220 and the energy receiving device 132 is limited to a few centimeters, for example 5cm to 10cm, in order to enable charging. Referring to fig. 1, it is therefore desirable to position the table 100 or the first charging circuit 130 relatively precisely over the energy transmission device 200.

In the case of the radio wave-based method, a large distance, for example a distance of up to 50cm to 150cm, in particular a distance of up to 60cm to 90cm, can be sufficient to transmit sufficient energy for charging the first electrical energy store 120. Thus, the table 100 in fig. 1 may also be positioned elsewhere for charging.

Fig. 1 shows a side view of the table 100, while fig. 3 and 4 show a front view of the table 100. Energy transmission device 200 is mounted within wall 310, specifically being integrated flush with the wall. For example, the grid voltage side module 220 of the energy transmission device 200 is compatible with standard switching procedures for electrical installation and may be installed in a conventional installation socket, e.g., to serve as a replacement for the socket. Alternatively, the energy transmission device 200 can also be equipped, in particular, directly on the housing with a power plug, which can be plugged into an available socket. This makes the energy transmission device easy to retrofit.

Referring to fig. 3, the first charging circuit 130, in particular the energy receiving device 132, is mounted in or on the telescopic frame part of the table, preferably at a height corresponding to the energy transmission device 200.

Referring to fig. 4, the first charging circuit 130 or energy receiving device 132 is mounted in an area, e.g., laterally or at a lower end, of the tabletop 115, likewise at a height corresponding to the existing energy transmission device 200.

The structures shown in fig. 3 and 4 are particularly suitable for inductive transmission methods. However, the same or at least a similar arrangement of

energy transmission members

130, 200 may also be used for radio wave based methods, thereby allowing for a larger distance for the charging process.

This improved charging concept is not only applicable to furniture systems having tables, but may also be applied to other furniture. For example, fig. 5 shows a furniture system with adjustable heads and/or adjustable feet 116 in which the furniture is conceived as a sheet of bed 101. For the sake of clarity, the corresponding actuators are not shown. Similar to the above described structure, the controller 140, the first electric energy storage 120 and the first charging circuit 130 may be arranged in one frame or in the frame of the bed 101. In particular for the first charging circuit 130, two possible variants are shown in fig. 5, namely mounted in the bed frame 161 or in the bed foot 171. Depending on the application, energy transmission device 200 is mounted in or on wall 310 and/or in or on floor 320.

Fig. 6 shows a further possible configuration of a furniture system in which the furniture is implemented as an adjustable lounge 102. For example, the lounge chair 102 has an adjustable back 117 and/or an adjustable foot 118. The energy-receiving device 132 is mounted in the couch frame, particularly below the housing of the couch 102. For clarity, energy transfer device 200 is not shown in fig. 6.

With regard to the energy transmission process in the structure according to figures 5 and 6, reference is made to the above more detailed structure in particular with regard to the table 100.

Claims

1. A furniture system with an electrically adjustable furniture (100, 101, 102) and an energy transmission device (200), characterized in that,

the piece of furniture (100, 101, 102) comprises: -at least one actuator (110) for adjusting the piece of furniture (100, 101, 102), -a first electrical energy store (120) for supplying the actuator (110) with electrical energy during an adjustment process, and-a first charging circuit (130) for charging the first electrical energy store (120);

the energy transmission device (200) is adapted to receive energy from an AC grid power source and to transmit the energy wirelessly; and

the first charging circuit (130) is adapted to at least partially receive energy output from the energy transmission device (200) without physical contact with the energy transmission device (200) and to charge the first electrical energy storage (120) with the energy.

2. Furniture system according to claim 1, characterized in that the first charging circuit (130) comprises an energy receiving device (132) and a charging controller (131), the charging controller (131) being arranged to control charging of the first electrical energy storage (120) with energy received by the energy receiving device (132).

3. Furniture system according to claim 2, characterized in that the charging controller (131) is arranged in a housing of a controller (140) for the at least one actuator (110).

4. Furniture system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the energy is transmitted according to a radio wave based method.

5. Furniture system according to claim 4, characterized in that the energy is transmitted according to a high frequency method.

6. Furniture system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the energy transmission device (200) and the energy receiving device (132) are designed to transmit sufficient energy for charging the first electrical energy storage (120) at a distance of up to 50cm to 150cm between the energy transmission device (200) and the energy receiving device (132).

7. Furniture system according to claim 6, characterized in that the energy transmission device (200) and the energy receiving device (132) are designed to transmit sufficient energy for charging the first electrical energy storage (120) at a distance of up to 60cm to 90cm between the energy transmission device (200) and the energy receiving device (132).

8. Furniture system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the energy is transmitted based on an inductive process.

9. Furniture system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the furniture is realized as a height-adjustable table, wherein the energy receiving device (132) is arranged in a table frame (160) or in a table foot (170) of the table.

10. Furniture system according to claim 9, characterized in that the furniture is realized as a desk.

11. Furniture system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the furniture is realized as a bed with adjustable heads and/or adjustable feet, wherein the energy receiving device (132) is arranged in a bed frame (161) or in a bed foot (171) of the bed.

12. Furniture system according to claim 11, characterized in that the furniture is realized as a bed for a bedroom.

13. Furniture system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the furniture is realized as an adjustable lounge chair, wherein the energy receiving device (132) is arranged in a frame of the lounge chair.

14. Furniture system according to claim 13, characterized in that the energy receiving device (132) is arranged below a housing of the lounge chair.

15. Furniture system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the energy transmission device (200) is mounted in the following positions:

in the wall (310) or on the wall (310);

in the base plate (320) or on the base plate (320); or

In a further piece of furniture comprised in the furniture system.

16. Furniture system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the first electrical energy storage (120) is formed as a battery or as a rechargeable battery.

17. Furniture system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the furniture (100, 101, 102) comprises a roller (180) for moving the furniture (100, 101, 102).

18. Furniture system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it further comprises a manual operating device (150) adapted to be wirelessly connected with a controller (140) for said at least one actuator (110), said manual operating device (150) comprising: -a second electrical energy storage (151) for powering said manual operating means (150) during an operating action; and a second charging circuit (152) for charging the second electrical energy storage (151).

19. Furniture system according to claim 18, characterized in that the furniture (100, 101, 102) and the manual operating device (150) are arranged to charge the first electrical energy storage (120) and the second electrical energy storage (151) simultaneously.